I’m a bit concerned about the absence of butterflies in the nature areas which I visit regularly, no Common Blues, no Small Coppers, no Map Butterflies, no whites....no resting butterflies at all....it’s really disappointing and my desire for my trip to France is growing day by day!

Fortunately a lot of Beetles are walking around at the moment....Cockchafers, Garden Chafers, Longhorns and a lot of Soldier Beetles. Normally Soldier Beetles are very active and they disappear immediately by the time a part of my tripod is visible.This morning I had some luck and I found a resting and very cooperative Soldier. First I photographed the beetle with my ‘normal’ 180 mm macro lense and although there was some wind I mounted my special macro lense, the MP-E 65 mm. The first picture is taken with 180 mm, 0,5s at F10 and the second picture is taken with 65 mm, 1,3s at F13 (zooming factor around 2 ½).

As you probably know, I grew up in Berlin. At the age of six I went to school and in my time it was out of the question getting to school by car. Every day, if it was raining or not, I went to school by walking and I remember, although I was living in a big city, the fascinating living creatures which I found in the hatches on my way. Every springtime I collected Ladybugs and Cockchafers and allowed them a march on my hands and arms....Cockchafers were very easy to find as they were sitting or lying slow on the ground. On warm evenings in May they are flying against windows and street lightning’s.....BANG.....scrambling and flying again.....BANG.....scrambling and flying up again.....BANG.....my pets love them when they are lying helpless upside down on the ground for a while.A few days ago I found a resting (or dizzy) Cockchafer. By the time I was ready to take the first photo the little guy (yes, it’s a HE) became active and started climbing up. I was too late resetting my camera into the right aperture......with a loud buzz noise the Cockchafer left the flower.

Canon 7D; tripod; remote release; 180mm, 1/125s at F5.6 and ISO160

Although only his eyes are sharp I post this image in my blog as tomorrow I will drive to my beloved city of birth. I will walk on the streets where I walked as a little girl and enjoy the warm memories which I cherish.....and I’m sure that I will find some Cockchafers!

I am very glad that I found this treasure! I like the weathered blue of the car in combination with the fresh green of the bush which is growing next and through the car. The car (actually a small truck) is a Hanomag AL 28 from the early sixties.Of course this beauty will be added in my gallery ‘Rust in Peace’ (Portfolio -> Rust in Peace) although I’m not sure that this car will rust in peace; one day he will be back on the road I think.....Route 66 would be nice!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet thousands of bees in their housings; of course I took my camera with me as it was a long time ago that I looked into a beehive. The bees were very peaceful and busy with their job (collecting nectar and nursing the brood).

But it seemed that the bee housings had more inhabitants. Some spiders are living under the edge of the bee housings and this beauty was disturbed by showing the bees. The spider ran away but stopped on the part which was painted; due to the reflection of the sun the background coloured red.

Canon 7D; tripod; remote release; 180mm, 1/8s at F9 and ISO100

For the bee photos, please visit the new chapter about the Teutoburger Wald (Portfolio -> Teutoburger Wald) and scroll to the second gallery.

At the moment I’m in a forest region in Germany, called Teutoburger Wald, and I’m enjoying the wildlife, the awakening and colouring of the beeches, the friendly people and the good food here. Far away from the land of the living I’m surrounded by nature. The first evening I met a mouse hunting fox and seeing him jumping around for while gave me a happy feeling.

Until now I have not seen much butterflies (springtime just started here) but fortunately a lot of beautiful flowers, like liverwort, violets, wood sorrel, oxlip and other species are growing here. I also made an appointment with myself to focus more on trees and their ‘wise’ expression and on forest moods and details related to human influence. During a walk I found this stone with the inscription BP.

Rest In Peace Deutsche Bundespost

Canon 7D; tripod; remote release; 180mm, 1/2s at F9 and ISO100

Two days ago I saw a tiny little snail on a green leaf but when I returned with my camera a few seconds later the snail was gone.....their sloth is just a diversionary tactic! But, yesterday morning I found an other snail which was nibbling on a yellow flower. I made some photos with the snail on the flower but suddenly, due to its bodyweight, he (or she) was hanging upside down for a few seconds.....it was just like the snail was saying ‘hu hu.....ich bin hier’ (it’s a German snail).